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Psycho Path - Traverse City, Michigan

Image: Grigorii Shcheglov

If you like puns, you'll love the people from Traverse City, Michigan. But why? Because they decided to turn one of their streets into a clever joke.

Here is the name they chose for a street in their city: "Psycho Path"! We have to admit it's a good one! This, in fact, earned them the first place for having the wackiest street name!

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No Name Lane - Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Image: Justin Lawrence

It seems that Coloradans had some creative challenges when naming some places. A perfect example is "No Name Lane," a street just east of Glenwood Springs. But the street is actually located within an area named "No Name," confusing, isn't it? And that's not all! In this region, you can also find landmarks such as No Name Canyon, No Name Creek, and, of course, the main road: No Name Lane.

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Chicken Dinner Road - Caldwell, Idaho

Image: Cisco Lin

Can a street make you hungry? Well, a street name might! That's exactly what happened to us when we discovered a road in Caldwell, Idaho, with a rather appetizing name. We're talking about "Chicken Dinner Road," which, a few years ago, raised controversy among animal advocates who proposed shortening the name to simply Chicken Road. What do you think?

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Boring Road - Decatur, Georgia

Image: Simon L

Well, we get it, the name of this street might not sound the most exciting, but don't let it fool you! Boring Road in Decatur, Georgia, is actually home to some pretty nice houses.

Though the name might not sound inviting, it probably comes from someone with the last name "Boring" rather than a reflection of the area's lack of excitement.

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Robbers Road - Lincoln, Nebraska

Image: Bruno van der Kraan

This street doesn't exactly invite us to take a leisurely walk, especially not at night! But we have to defend the honor of Robber's Road in Lincoln, Nebraska, as its name actually comes from the famous Robber's Cave located in the area.

Robber's Cave is a historic sandstone cave that, according to legend, once served as a hideout for criminals, and that's why it has such a peculiar name! Today, the cave is a tourist spot in Lincoln, attracting many curious people to the area.

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Memory Lane - Mt. Prospect, Illinois

Image: Benjamin Elliott

There's a place where you can literally take a walk down memory lane, and it is here in the United States! More precisely, it's in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

This town in the Prairie State is home to a street called "Memory Lane," though it wasn't always that way. Originally named "Hill Street" in the 1920s, the street was renamed by the late 1940s.

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Captain Bacon Road - Yarmouth, Massachusetts

Image: Thought Catalog

Dear breakfast lovers, this could become your new favorite street! We're talking about Captain Bacon Road, located in Yarmouth, Massachusetts.

While there are several theories behind the name of this street, one thing is for sure: Captain Bacon Road has sparked a lot of curiosity (and hunger)!

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Zzyzx - Mojave Desert in California

Image: frank mckenna

While it might look like a typo, "Zzyzx" is actually the name of a road in California's Mojave Desert. In fact, this unusual word not only designates a road but also refers to a small settlement in the state.

The name "Zzyzx" was invented in the 1940s by Curtis Howe Springer, a man who established a health resort and spring in the area. He wanted the name to be unforgettable, so he created "Zzyzx," intending it to be the last word in the dictionary.

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Unexpected Road - Buena Vista, New Jersey

Image: Christian Lue

A phone call, a piece of news, even love; many things in life can be unexpected. But a street? Well, it seems so! If you don't believe us, you can ask the people of Buena Vista Township, New Jersey.

In this town, there's a street literally called "Unexpected Road," and in 2006, it earned a spot on a rather peculiar list: A survey by The Car Connection ranked it as the 7th wackiest street name!

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English Muffin Way - Frederick, Maryland

Image: Rachel Park

Surprisingly, Captain Bacon is not the only breakfast-related street. You can also take a stroll down English Muffin Way in Frederick, Maryland.

What's interesting is that just off English Muffin Way sits a Bimbo Bakeries USA facility, famous for producing Thomas' English Muffins! Ok, now we're craving one.

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#15 - Lake Michigan (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin)

Image: Adam Bouse

Lake Michigan is a stunning natural treasure. Towering sand dunes, pristine beaches, and urban centers line up along its shores. Visitors flock to breathtaking hiking trails, like the ones in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore .

The lake's expanse touches several major cities, including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Traverse City, which explains the endless flow of tourists arriving each year.

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#14 - Flathead Lake (Montana)

Image: Josiah Gardner

Flathead Lake is a peaceful haven nestled between Glacier National Park and the Mission Mountains. Its vast, crystal-clear waters are ideal for boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking.

Surrounding small towns like Polson and Bigfork welcome visitors with their charming shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Visitors can also join boat excursions to Wild Horse Island, where bighorn sheep and wild horses roam.

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#13 - Lake Champlain (New York, Vermont)

Image: Ronan Furuta

Lake Champlain is the choice for history fans. Its guided tours explore the region’s rich history , including Revolutionary War sites and stories of naval battles fought on the lake.

The lake spans the border between New York and Vermont, with nearby towns such as Burlington and Plattsburgh, which offer waterfront dining and quaint streets.

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#12 - Grand Lake (Colorado)

Image: Ellery Sterling

This is the largest natural lake in Colorado. Right by Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake offers a serene escape into the state’s breathtaking wilderness.

The town of Grand Lake is also known for its historic boardwalk and artistic community . The area is particularly popular during winter when visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, ice fishing, and proximity to ski resorts.

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#11 - Lake Okeechobee (Florida)

Image: Heiner

Known as Florida’s "Inland Sea," Lake Okeechobee is the state’s largest freshwater lake.

Herons, egrets, and ospreys can be spotted here. The lake also offers some of the best bass fishing in the country, which has turned it into a world-famous spot for fishing enthusiasts.

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#10 - Lake George (New York)

Image: Bill Alexy

Sparkling waters surrounded by the Adirondacks, Lake George was dubbed the " Queen of American Lakes ." Visitors know it as a perfect spot for hiking, boating, and camping. The village of Lake George is a lively hub with restaurants, shops, and events like the annual Adirondack Balloon Festival.

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#9 - Crater Lake (Oregon)

Image: velichor

Famous for its deep blue color and clarity, Crater Lake is the centerpiece of Crater Lake National Park. The lake formed within a collapsed volcano and is the deepest in the United States. Visitors can take guided boat tours to Wizard Island or explore hiking trails around the caldera.

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#8 - Lake Powell (Arizona, Utah)

Image: Carmel Rossen

Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir straddling the Arizona-Utah border. It attracts approximately two million visitors yearly. A unique sight, this beloved destination is lined with striking geological formations like Rainbow Bridge, one of the world’s largest natural arches.

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#7 - Lake Superior (Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin)

Image: Hans Isaacson

Of course, it’s on the list: Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area . Its vast expanse is lined with forests, rocky cliffs, and sandy beaches.

Visitors explore spots like Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with its sea caves and historic lighthouses, or the charming town of Duluth, Minnesota, known for its shipping heritage and beautiful harbor.

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#6 - Lake Havasu (Arizona, California)

Image: Jack Nueva

Lake Havasu straddles the Arizona-California border and offers an array of activities, from jet skiing and paddleboarding to relaxing on its sandy beaches. The nearby Lake Havasu City hosts famous events, including a hot air balloon festival and classic car shows.

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#5 - Lake Tahoe (California, Nevada)

Image: Artur Westergren

In summer, visitors flock to Lake Tahoe's beaches for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, while winter transforms the area into a skiing and snowboarding paradise . Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant nightlife.

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#4 - Lake Mead (Nevada, Arizona)

Image: Brett Funk

Lake Mead is a reservoir formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River. It’s not just the largest reservoir in the country by volume , but also a popular recreational hotspot.

Its sprawling waters and rugged desert surroundings attract boaters, anglers, and hikers, and its proximity to Las Vegas has certainly helped attract tourists.

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#3 - Lake Erie (Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York)

Image: Nicholas Mullins

As one of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie combines stunning coastal scenery with wineries and charming towns like Put-in-Bay, where visitors can tour historical sites and enjoy waterfront dining. The lake is also known for its diverse fish population, which has turned it into a top destination for anglers .

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#2 - Lake Washington (Washington)

Image: Henry Fraczek

Lake Washington, near Seattle, is surrounded by affluent neighborhoods and parks. The lake is also home to floating homes , famously featured in the movie Sleepless in Seattle .

Visitors can explore nearby attractions like the University of Washington Arboretum and take guided boat tours offering views of Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline.

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#1 - Lake of the Ozarks (Missouri)

Image: Davis Patton

Known for its distinctive serpentine shape, Lake of the Ozarks features over 1,100 miles of shoreline. Osage Beach serves as the main hub for dining, shopping, and nightlife.

Another popular attraction is its nearby caves , some with unique phenomena like the Angel Showers, a constant shower of water dripping from the solid rock ceiling.

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Empire State Building, New York City

Image: William Wachter

Undoubtedly, the Empire State is the most famous building in New York City. Every year, about 2.5 million people visit it, and it has been featured in countless movies and TV shows. Designed by American architect William F. Lamb, it was inaugurated in 1931.

For forty-one years, the Empire State Building was the tallest skyscraper in the world. The symmetry, limestone façade, huge windows, and the monumental and luxurious lobby are some of its main features. The design of this Art Deco masterpiece is so spectacular and breathtaking that in 1986 it was designated a National Historic Landmark.

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The Carlyle, Miami Beach

Image: Luis Erives

Miami has the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world. The city has a remarkable collection of around 800 structures built in this style. Visiting the Art Deco district along Collins Avenue, Ocean Drive, and Washington Avenue is like traveling back in time. And perhaps the Carlyle, for its sophisticated combination of horizontals and verticals, is one of the most emblematic.

It was built in 1939 by German-American architect Richard Kiehnel, and its façade has barely changed since then. Its interior, on the other hand, went from hotel rooms to apartments.

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Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, Tulsa

Image: Quang Vuong

The Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is one of the few examples of an Art Deco church. Beginning in the 1920s, little Tulsa became the oil capital of the U.S., and the sudden influx of resources encouraged investors to build increasingly grandiose buildings. Thus, this church is considered the first ecclesiastical building strictly designed for an emerging automobile culture.

Constructed from Indiana limestone, the church features a steel-frame tower topped with a copper and glass lantern. A seven-pointed star symbolizes seven virtues: patience, purity, knowledge, suffering, kindness, love, and truth. The complex also includes a sanctuary, a small chapel, and offices, while the lobby serves as a social center.

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Union Terminal, Cincinnati

Image: Fred Copley

Cincinnati Union Terminal in Ohio is one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the United States. Its green terrazzo floors, fine-grained Indiana limestone façade, and vast rotunda adorned with industrial murals by Winold Reiss make the station a true architectural masterpiece. In fact, it is considered the pinnacle work of Alfred T. Fellheimer, who had previously designed Grand Central Terminal in New York.

Unfortunately, Union Terminal began construction in 1928, during one of the worst periods in the country's economic history. The Great Depression was marked by a decline in train travel, and the opulent Union Terminal was considered a white elephant. In 1972, it was finally closed. Years later, however, the building regained its former luster. Today, it is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal line, while the rest of the complex houses several museums.

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Carbide & Carbon Building, Chicago

Image: Anthony Fomin

The Carbide & Carbon Building, a 37-story skyscraper completed in 1929, is one of Chicago's most striking architectural achievements. A bold example of Art Deco design , the building is clad in black granite and green terra cotta, with genuine gold leaf adorning its tower.

It is so luxurious that the Burnham Brothers architectural firm is said to have designed it to resemble a champagne bottle. In 1996, it was designated a Chicago Landmark, and in 2021, it was renovated and reopened as the Pendry Chicago Hotel.

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The Guardian Building, Detroit

Image: G + L

This 43-story Art Deco skyscraper is located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Nicknamed the Cathedral of Finance , it was planned by architect Wirt C. Rowland and completed in 1929. Both the interior and exterior feature numerous modern decorative elements, including mosaics, murals, stained glass, and even a historic Tiffany clock.

Forty craftsmen worked on its design and construction, which required granite, stone, terra cotta, and more than two million distinctive "Union Guardian Orange" bricks. In 1989, the Guardian Building was designated a National Historic Landmark.

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Chrysler Building, New York City

Image: William Wachter

The Chrysler Building in New York City is one of the greatest examples of the Art Deco style in the world. It was designed by architect William Van Alen at the request of industrial magnate Walter Percy Chrysler and completed in 1930.

The building exhibits great attention to detail, featuring many elements that mimic Chrysler automobile pieces, such as the ostentatious ornamentation of the tower. In the lobby, the ceiling mural—once the largest in the United States—was painted by artist Edward Trumbull. Following the building’s automotive theme, it depicts scenes of progress, transportation, and energy.

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Eastern Columbia Building, Los Angeles

Image: Jordan Rubin

Located in downtown Los Angeles, this emblematic 1930s building features a striking turquoise terra cotta exterior. The Eastern Columbia Building was designed by renowned architect Claud Beelman, who also created several of the city’s notable Art Deco structures. At the time of its construction, the building was so unique that the city allowed it to exceed the maximum height limit.

Its unique color, majestic vertical lines, iconic clock, and golden ornamentation attracted Hollywood moguls and stars from the beginning. It was first used as office space and was later converted into luxury apartments. In 1985, the Eastern Columbia Building was declared a Historic-Cultural Monument.

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Circle Tower, Indianapolis

Image: Alejandro, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The construction of a 14-story skyscraper in Indianapolis was a major news event in the early 20th century. "Circle Tower Is Rising," declared the Indianapolis Times in 1929. Circle Tower stands as a magnificent example of Art Deco architecture.

Built of ornately carved granite and limestone and decorated with Egyptian figures, Circle Tower has a unique, trapezoidal shape. This unusual silhouette was promoted as an icon of luxurious office space. The interior, on the other hand, features marble and terrazzo floors, bronze elevator doors, geometric flowers, zigzags, and concentric swirls. Details in the lavishly marble-clad lobby exude elegance.

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Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles

Image: David Vives

The Griffith Observatory is one of Los Angeles’ most important cultural attractions. This Art Deco icon opened in 1935 and was designed with a revolutionary idea in mind: the cosmos should be accessible to everyone, not just astronomers.

Built of reinforced concrete on a 3,015-acre site donated by Colonel Griffith J. Griffith, it is a blend of modern design and Greek and Beaux-Arts influences. The building's most emblematic feature? The planetarium in the central dome!